Rutpela maculata

This is a large but well-marked longhorn beetle with a variable pattern of black and yellow markings.

Usually found along hedgerows and woodland margins where the adults are most often seen on Hawthorn or umbel flowers.

May until August.

The larvae live in rotten wood and emerge into adults in May.

Common and widespread in England and Wales, much less common further north.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 65 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.